Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department Minister Sakeena Itoo on Tuesday said there are approximately 5,753 registered unemployed dental surgeons in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the news agency, replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, she said the government is fully conscious of the unemployment concerns faced by dental surgeons, as well as the urgent need to strengthen oral healthcare services across all levels of healthcare institutions.
"A proposal for the creation of new dental surgeon posts, based on actual and assessed requirements, is currently under active consideration in the department," Itoo said.
The minister clarified that the proposal is being worked out strictly in line with General Financial Rules (GFR)–2017 and the Finance Department’s circular instructions issued in July 2021. “The matter is under detailed examination in the Health and Medical Education Department to ensure financial sustainability and adherence to established service norms,” she said.Itoo said that it remains a vital component of holistic healthcare, and the government is committed to ensuring quality dental services across the public health system.
Providing details of existing manpower, the minister informed that the sanctioned posts of dental surgeons at various healthcare levels are largely filled.
She said that at the District Hospital level, all sanctioned posts are filled; at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) and New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) levels, only one post is currently vacant. Across the UT, only three posts are sanctioned at the NTPHC level, of which two are filled, while one post remains vacant at NTPHC Shamthi. At the Sub-Centre level, no posts of dental surgeons have been sanctioned so far.
The minister further disclosed that the UT already has a surplus number of dental surgeons, prompting the government to create temporary supernumerary posts to accommodate them. These include six temporary supernumerary posts in the Jammu Division and 137 in the Kashmir Division.
“These temporary arrangements were made to manage the surplus workforce while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services,” she explained.
Responding to queries about alternative recruitment models, Sakina Itoo clarified that no proposal on the analogy of Rehbar-e-Taleem or Rehbar-e-Ziraat is under consideration for the health sector.“Appointments in healthcare are governed by established service rules, IPHS norms, and financial sustainability considerations. The government’s approach remains focused on regular, need-based creation of posts to strengthen institutions and ensure quality healthcare delivery,” the minister said.(KNO)